Hato Hone St John says one patient has been transported to Tauranga Hospital in a moderate condition.
St John sent a rescue helicopter, ambulance and multiple other vehicles to the scene after being alerted about 1.49pm. As at 3.45pm only the ambulance was still at the scene.
The spokeswoman referred further queries to the police.
A witness at the scene said he could see a car and truck appeared to be involved. He said the car was “crushed” and there was a trail of debris on the road.
The overturned truck was on the railway side of the road
The witness, who would not be named, said he was travelling from Whakatāne to Tauranga when he came across the scene, he believed just minutes after the incident happened.
He said he saw that a person was being helped from the cab of the truck and first responders were arriving at the scene.
Video from the crash scene shows a truck and trailer on its side half on the road and in the paddock.
Contents from the trailer had spilled on to the side of the road.
A St John spokeswoman said they were called to the incident at 1.49pm and responded with one ambulance, multiple other vehicles and a helicopter.
Diversions in place
An initial traffic alert from NZTA said: “Due to a crash east of Rodgers Rd, lanes are blocked.
“Expect delays and pass the scene with care.”
Diversions are as follows: Eastbound traffic should travel via Pukehina Station Rd and Old Coach Rd and rejoin SH2. Westbound traffic should do the reverse. Heavy vehicles should use SH33 and SH30.
A 3.15pm update said the section of SH2 was “likely to remain closed for some time today as NZ Police undertake a serious crash investigation”.
A witness at the scene earlier told SunLive a helicopter had arrived and police were working on diversions.
”It’s a quick diversion but we are at the start of the line, so it might get worse soon.”
A Fire and Emergency spokesperson said two fire appliances attended.
A KiwiRail spokesperson said part of the railway line in the area was closed by police for a period, delaying a freight service, but this had since reopened.
More to come.